Currently chopping wood in the mountains of Colorado.
Experience
Current
Creative Director, Daphne James Studio
Currently creating visual identity systems with a lasting impact for brands that make the future bright. My process is reliably efficient and effective, and my mind is truly innovative and weird. Serving a variety of clients with open communication, collaboration, and the highest level of creativity.
Previously
UI/UX Lead Designer, Pearson
Senior Designer at Leo Burnett, Dept of Design
Senior Art Director at VSA Partners
UI Design, Magic + Might
Lead Art Director, Studio 424
Senior Designer at Obama for America
Designer at Democratic National Committee
Art Director at DigitasLBi
Lead Designer at Columbia College Portfolio Center
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Columbia College Chicago
Recognized by Forbes Magazine as Columbia College Notable Alumni
Information Design Studies at Mälardalens Högskola in Västerås, Sweden (awarded scholarship to study)
In the Community
Portfolio Reviewer at VSA in conjunction with MoxieCon and AIGA
2009 Cannes Lions 48 Hour Ad Contest
Life In Public, An (Indoor) Art Show Inspired by New York City’s Streets, December 2013 Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Guest Lecturer and Career Advisor at Columbia College Chicago
Guest speaker at Rapha & AIGA 5x5 Intervals on Design: A design talk for cyclists by designers obsessed with cycling
Chicago Women's Elite Cycling non-profit co-founder and program director chicagowomenselite.com
Chicago Design Museum Exhibit Committee Member
Chicago Women's Health Center Volunteer and Organizer
ArtCrank Poster Show
Designing for Politics: AIGA Lecture, Cleveland, OH
Professional Cyclist for DNA Pro Cycling
International Traveler
Went to French language camp as a kid
Passion for cooking great meals and sharing them with friends
International Traveler
Hugged Obama
Has a library card
Specialties
Art Direction
Branding
Naming
Concepting
Creative Direction
Digital
Guidelines
Iconography
Ideation
Identity
Illustration
Print
Product UI
Signage
System Design
Wayfinding
Infographics
Social media
Marketing/Advertising
Notable Clients
Pearson
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
Obama for America
Ford Motors
Clean Energy Trust
Upworthy
National Public Radio (NPR)
Dorchester Projects
Chicago Parks Foundation
Kraft Foods
MillerCoors
Whirlpool
Disney
KitchenAid
Walgreens
The worst feedback I ever received in a performance review was:
“She tends to get frustrated with slower partners.”
What can I say? It’s the truth. I’ve got energy, ideas, passion, and the fire under my butt to make sh*t happen.
How it started
I’ve been designing and creating since the seasoned age of 8 when I entered a coloring competition sponsored by Six Flags amusement parks. After countless hours of carefully filling in those unrelenting lines, I mounted my submission on multiple sheets of colored paper, because as we all know, presentation is everything. I scored round-trip tickets for my family to Six Flags, and became convinced this biz was for me.
How it’s going
Fourteen (14!) years ago I began working as an Art Director at DigitasLBi. I quickly moved up in the agency and spearheaded campaigns for MillerCoors, Sara Lee, Kellogg’s, KitchenAid, Whirpool, Disney, and Walgreens. After my years at DigitasLBi, I leapt at an opportunity to design the Obama for America 2012 re-elect campaign. As one of only three original designers on the Presidential campaign, I conceptualized and executed the Obama 2012 brand and began staffing the creative team. Following the successful re-election of President Obama, a hug from the man himself, and a very long nap, I began work as a Senior Art Director at VSA Partners where I led digital design strategies for high-profile clients. After many years of experience, I left the desk job to pursue a career as a professional athlete but never left my work behind. I’ve been focused on creating visual identity systems with a lasting impact for brands that make the future bright. I bring open communication, collaboration, and the highest level of creativity to every team I join. My creative process is reliably efficient and effective, and my mind is truly innovative and weird.